Sed Gyued Monastery, Siliguri

Located in Salugara on the outskirts of Siliguri, Syed Gyued monastery is a photogenic calm haven. A breath-taking monument which is shaped like a Pagoda, it was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 2001. It is a place of meditation and an institute of Buddhist studies, which traces its origins back to the 14th century. One can observe Buddhist rituals and statutes here.

This historic site and architectural beauty of this monastery was destroyed by the Chinese army during the Indo-Chinese war of 1959 and was later rebuilt. Today, it houses more than 90 monks and doubles up as a research centre as well.

Location: 30 minutes’ drive from Siliguri, 8 kms away.

Time: 9 am to 6 pm.

Best time to visit: All year round.